Oral Comprehension with picture books.
Content provided by our partner - Chiltern Teaching School.
Oral Comprehension with picture books.
Content provided by our partner - Chiltern Teaching School.
Oral Comprehension with picture books.
Content provided by our partner - Chiltern Teaching School.
Oral Comprehension with picture books.
Content provided by our partner - Chiltern Teaching School.
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Learning
Forge CPD Cloud
EYFS
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Retrival
Practice
Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT)
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) children in UK schools continue to face entrenched educational inequalities. Research from the past five years highlights persistent challenges including exclusion, low attendance, racism, and curriculum invisibility. GRT pupils have the lowest attainment of any ethnic group, with only 15–18% meeting expected standards at KS2 and fewer than 10% achieving strong GCSE passes in English and maths. Bullying, discriminatory attitudes and institutional mistrust drive disengagement, while digital exclusion and inconsistent support for mobile families further widen gaps.
Effective practice centres on whole‑school inclusion, anti‑racist approaches, and early, sustained engagement with families. Strong schools build trust through consistent communication, visible responses to racism, and culturally responsive curricula that reflect Romani, Roma and Irish Traveller histories. Strategic leadership is essential to strengthen transitions, embed community voice and ensure accurate ethnicity data to inform targeted interventions.
To raise standards, schools must prioritise equity, reform behaviour policies, ensure curriculum representation and provide targeted academic support. Flexible provision, open dialogue and improved trust positively influence attendance. Successful models rely on reflective practice, adaptive systems and a culture that actively challenges prejudice.
Strong elements emerging from research:
Whole School Culture & Leadership
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Inclusive ethos — Position GRT inclusion as a clear school improvement priority.
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Anti racist practice — Apply robust processes for reporting and addressing anti GRT bullying or discrimination.
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Visible representation — Ensure displays, assemblies and curriculum content reflect GRT histories and cultures.
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Staff training — Deliver annual CPD on cultural competence and unconscious bias.
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Accurate data — Support families to self identify confidently so interventions are well targeted.
Classroom Practice & Curriculum
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Culturally responsive teaching — Integrate GRT perspectives across subjects; avoid stereotypes and deficit narratives.
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Flexible learning pathways — Offer catch up support, differentiated tasks and alternative accreditation routes.
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Digital inclusion — Provide devices, connectivity and digital skills support for families facing mobility or economic barriers.
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Attendance support — Use relational, non punitive approaches to improve engagement.
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Behaviour policies — Embed restorative practices to reduce disproportionate sanctions.
Family & Community Engagement
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Trusted relationships — Allocate a consistent key adult and prioritise face to face communication.
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Community voice — Involve GRT parents and advocates in policy, curriculum and transition planning.
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Traveller Education Services — Collaborate with TES teams for outreach, mediation and specialist guidance.
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Transition planning — Provide enhanced support at key transition points.
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Safe spaces — Ensure pupils have access to a trusted adult or designated space when needed.
Monitoring & Evaluation
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Track progress — Monitor attendance, exclusions and attainment for GRT pupils as a distinct group.
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Review interventions — Evaluate impact termly and adapt based on pupil and family feedback.
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Share successes — Publicly celebrate improvements to reinforce inclusion and challenge stereotypes.
Case Reports
Excluded: Misrecognition, control and the Roma experience in Bradford schools was produced with colleagues at Traveller Movement and Connecting Roma, and examines the communities behind the disproportionate exclusion of Roma pupils and the structural racism underpinning it.
Simon Hood
Grace preston
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Toolkit
Healthy Relationships Toolkit
The Traveller Movement is a registered UK charity promoting inclusion and community engagement with Romani (Gypsies), Roma and Irish Travellers. The Traveller Movement seeks to empower and support Romani (Gypsies), Roma and Irish Travellers communities to advocate for the full implementation of their human rights.
